The National tribune., 1887-05-05
MILL SPRINGS.
Gen. Thomas's Brilliant Victory Death OF ZOllI-
Golfer.

Golfer.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: We were mus
tered at Fort Smelling, in the ID Mimi, III June,
1861. In September we were ordered 10 Wash
ing,On. We got as far as PittsbuTg, when the
order was countermandcd and we were sent 10
Louisville, Ky, aud thence to Lebanon. Here
George III. Thomas was concentrating force to
drive Gen. Zollcoiier from Southeastern Ken
lucky. Zollicoler was strongly fortified on the
north side of the Cumberland River. Gen.
Schoepf went down and occupied Somerset,
distant from Zollicoffer about 20 miles Our
brigade consisted Of the 2d MIMI, 9Th Ohio,
10th Ind. aud 4th KY, and was commanded by
Col. Bob McCook, Of the 9th Ohio
About Jan. ], 1862, we struck tents and
marched south through Columbia, arriving
at Logan's Cross roads on the 18th, 10 miles
from ZOlicOfler. Here we rested for the next
As hours expecting Schoepfs forces to form
junction with us; but the unusual high water
in Fishing Creek prevented this By this time
Gen. Crittenden assumed command of the Con-
federate forces, with Zollicofier and Carroll as
brigade commanders. Knowing of our con-
dition, they held a council aud decided TO come
out and whip us in detail. Their attacking
force consisted of eisA It regiments of infantry,
six pieces Of artillery and two battaliOns of
cavalry.
On the morning of the 18th the long roll
hustled US into ranks TO fight our maiden bat
tie. by TINS time nrlng Was heard less than
mile away. The 10th Ind. and 4th Ky. were
sent 10 the front, while we were supporting
battery. j never will forget the first shell that
passed high above us, and our poor regiment
settled nearly foot in the muddy ground. As
our front was being badly pressed We with the
9th Ohio on our right marched by the right
flank aud then by the left. Hero our baptism
OF fire was had and the battle of Mill Springs
was being fought. Ii was rainy day, the fog
and smoke hung low, and through mistake
Zollicofer rode around and TO the rear of the
4th Ky. Col. Fry began firing at him with his
revolver, and got the credit of killing him. i
afterward saw him. and found that he had been
pierced in the right breast by an ounce ball.
My regiment in this engagement lost Is
killed and 50 wounded. Our loss altogether
was less than $50, while that Of the rebels was
twice as large, beside many prisoners. The
enemy crossed the river during the night. The
next morning We captured their rear-guard,
camp cquipage, commissary stores, horses,
wagons, mules, and Is cannon-in fact, every
thing but their men, who scattered in every
direction. j afterward learned while in Chat
tanooga that stragglers came in there six weeks
afterward. Fishing Creek was the name the
Confederates gave TO that battle.
We were then ordered 10 Somerset, where we
had a short season Of well. earned rest. We
were ordered from there to Louisville aud
while passing through the streets each regiment
engaged in the battle was presented with flag
with Mill Springs" inscribed thereon. Col.
Bob McCook was promoted TO Brigadier-Gen-
eral, and the following July, in Tennessee,
while sick in an ambulance was assassinated
by guerrillas.-H. NJ. BAYLEss Co. c, I'd Mimi,
and Lieutenant, Co. NJ, LIST Mimi. II. A.